This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered and for all the wonderful comments. CONGRATULATION TO OUR WINNER: KALEN!

I can’t deny it. I was super excited when I got the package from Children’s Book Press (CPB) containing the book they had sent me to review for our second installment of our new monthly literacy series: ReadMe. I had already had the pleasure of enjoying several of their books from our local library and I couldn’t wait to see what Maya Christina Gonzalez‘ latest bilingual book, I Know the River Loves Me/Yo sé que el río me ama, was all about–especially because she is the writer and the illustrator!

As I wrote in this post, I really love the idea behind CBP: “a nonprofit publishing house founded in 1975 to promote cooperation and understanding through multicultural and bilingual literature, offering children a sense of their culture, history and, importance.”

Let me start by saying: Wow! ¡Excelente! I was immediately taken by the originality of its illustrations–before I even got to read the beautiful story the author composed. I wouldn’t use the word colorful to describe the illustrations since Gonzalez only uses a handful of hues: purple, black, green, blue, pink, but I would use the word vibrant. Maybe this is the reason why they are so captivating.

An award-winning artist and author, Maya Christina Gonzalez, has been hailed for her vibrant imagery and intense colors. She has illustrated more than 20 children’s books. My Colors, My World/Mis colores, mi mundo–the first booked she both penned and illustrated–was awarded the 2008 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award.

“I Know the River Loves Me is a children’s love story. It’s about friendship, belonging, transformation, reflection, care,” the author said in an email. “Through the story and the art, the river and I tried to convey how important we are to each other and how important it is to nurture friendships like this as children.”

I can’t relate to Gonzalez’ relationship with rivers–although I must say I love the music they make as they stream along and I’m getting to know them a lot better, together with my daughter who seems to love them, now that we live in Colorado. However, what I can relate to is the importance of developing a relationship with nature, especially as a child. I’ve felt the same way about the ocean, the Pacific Ocean to be exact, since I can remember. And, it’s one of the reason’s why I know that, even though I love Colorado for its amazing beauty, I can’t settle down in this state. The majesty and immensity of the ocean clamors for me. It’s a complex relationship not easily described the one between humans and nature; yet, the author of I Know the River Loves Me has managed fluently.

Listening to her explain how the story came alive, it’s easy to see why.

Maya Christina Gonzalez

“I love rivers. I have sat with rivers from India to Puerto Rico to Mexico and Brazil and all over America. I love their flow and the way they change sometimes with each day. But one of my good friends is the Yuba River in California. I have been visiting her for many years,” Gonzalez explained. “I was sitting by her side a year ago when I could swear she was telling me a story. I laughed and listened. By the time I left to go home to the city I had a pretty good idea of a tale, but had no plans for a book at that time. of course, within a short time I was asked to write a book for Children’s Book Press. I laughed even harder now because it felt like the river knew. So I had to tell her tale.”

It’s not the first time Gonzalez works with Children’s Book Press. In fact, their relationship goes back many years and the author is quick to express her appreciation for the fact that most of their books are bilingual, as she tells the common tale shared by so many second and third generation Latinos in this country.

“I imagine that I am illustrating my books for my father. When he was five he was put in an all English speaking school when he and his family only spoke Spanish. i think this was a great stress,” she expressed in via email. “It was also an era of assimilation. So when he had a child i imagine that he wanted the best for me and so did not pass Spanish on to me. I am still learning Spanish and it’s a complicated negotiation for me. I feel that Spanish is very much a part of me and yet it also feels somewhat removed. So I guess my books are for both us.”

Although she wasn’t raised bilingual–her mother is white and English was predominant in the house–she understands the importance of being bilingual and is working toward making sure her daughter speaks both languages.

“In America and over much of the world, English’s importance and unifying use is evident in education, business, social situations, etc…but embedded in English is also the dominance of the western culture over much of the world. It’s influence is astounding at times,” she explained. “Spanish literally offers us another way to think, to express, to know the world and ourselves. And that is always vital. There is not one way to know or express, but many. We don’t just open up to another language when we are bilingual, we open up to another way of thinking, expressing and possibly even being.”

How cool is that? Check out the rest of the interview:

SB: How would you say parents raising bilingual children can “use” your book in their journey?
“There are numerous ways to use this book. First of all there is English and Spanish. The words are simple and you can literally see them close to one another to see how the languages are similar and different in their sounds and structures. Also, the art and the relationship with nature is very key. They provide the container. The backdrop to support explore confidence and belonging on levels that lie below language, addressing all aspects of being and expression.”

SB: When you were growing up how important was reading in your family?
I love books. I remember how much I loved going to the library as a child. I don’t specifically remember my parents encouraging reading, but they both read. My father was the type that always carried a book with him to work.”

SB: You’ve illustrated more books than the ones you’ve written. How and why did you become a children’s book writer?
“Children’s Book Press came to me in a pinch. They needed to fill a slot that someone had bogged on. I suggested that they let me write and illustrate a book. I actually went to university to be a writer not an artist. And it was a great success. Now I’m spoiled and only illustrate books I’ve written.”

And, why shouldn’t she, ¿no creen?

I Know the River Loves Me is supposed to be for children ages 4 to 8, but I was so excited about it, that I immediately shared it with my 3-year-old daughter, Vanessa. Le encantó. So much so, that in the days following, she actually asked me: “Mamá, léeme el de la niña y el río.” Without hesitation, I obliged.

The Giveaway:

In case you don’t remember, part of ReadMe includes the opportunity to win a copy of the book being reviewed. I promise this is one extraordinary book you’ll want to own–especially because you’re getting a sneak peak since the book is not available until September! To win, all you have to do is share with us what you do to help your niños understand the importance of having a relationship with nature. It’s that easy!

This giveaway ends at midnight EST on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2009. Entries/Comments that do not follow the submission guidelines will be invalid and automatically deleted. Sorry, just need to keep it fair. Good luck to all!

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Wow, looks like a wonderful book. I am a biologist and environmentalist and have taught my 3 year old niña that we ARE nature and that we must be conscious of our decisions to respect nature every day. We used to live in Costa Rica until recently and there I was the director of a private nature preserve and co-founded and organized the first community recycling program in the pacific northwest. My niña participated in our recycling days from the day she could walk by crushing cans and bottles. She became the posterchild of recycling in our area, literally! To this day she asks me every time she throws something away if it goes into the recycling bin, the compost bin or the trash bin. I am so proud of her.

Thank you for this wonderful article, and for the extended interview with Maya. It’s a great resource for people who want to learn more about the book. I have to admit that the age range we specify is only a recommendation. I think you’ve shown that the book can be shared with children of any age. We’re so pleased that this book has opened up these kinds of conversations about nature and language. Thanks again for your support!

I think children have a natural fascination with nature. I want to do more with my daughter who just turned 3. We currently do simple things such as we planted a “butterfly bush” in the yard and yesterday we were able to sit outside and watch the butterflies it attracted. We got to discuss what things the butterflies eat, etc. We also have a wonderful Nature Center that is great to walk on the trails. We live in Florida so I want to enjoy the beach more when the weather gets a little cooler. We have a large number of parks that we also like to visit and she enjoys digging in the dirt!

I just came across a book entitled “Last Child into the Woods” by Richard Louv that I want to get my hands on. It is supposed to be a great book about getting kids out into nature due to the fact that so many children (and adults) do not.

Wow! What a great book! Maravilloso! My two sons are being raised in a bilingual home, we also homeschool. Recently, we have been studying “water works” in science and we have been visiting water plants, rivers, creeks, lakes and the nature around them to help the kids understand el agua. we would love to read this book.

When we go up to our cabin, we make it a no-TV zone, so the kids spend lots of time outside, picking flowers, collecting pinecones and playing in the sand.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Amy B.adennispac@yahoo.com

We volunteer with our city’s “friends of the urban forest” and work to plant more trees in the concrete inner city. We also work with our neighborhood association on keeping our park clean, weeding, and planting more plants.

Wow. Gracias for this post. It looks like a really wonderful book and I enjoyed the interview. Maya seems like a neat lady.
In our family we like to hike and take walks and just be outside. We are very lucky to live in the beautiful mountains of CO where we have a really nice Nature Center ten minutes away and a buffalo park across the street. I agree with Maria who said that “children have a natural fascination with nature” and so I just make sure to stop and look at things with the children when they find them.
Thanks to the many small bugs who have given their lives in the name of science to toddlers.

Que libro mas lindo! Can’t wait to get my hands on it. We do a lot of gardening in our house which is how we commune with nature. My daughter has her own little regadera de agua and loves to be in charge of watering the plants. She also loves to hang out in her Grandmama’s garden and help her water all of her plants, arboles de fruta, and learn about all the little birds that love to come hang out and sing in her garden.

I love watching my daughter play outside. She can find so many things to do- her favorite thing to do is throw rocks in the water.. whether it’s a lake, river, creek, whatever. We actually just got home from a lake. We try to get away from the city as much as possible into the mountains where she can reconnect and enjoy the outdoors.

We have several acres by a national forest so we really have many, many acres to exlore. My daughter especially likes when the wild blackberries and raspberries are in season. Hunting, fishing and nature in general have always been a part of my life and it really just comes second nature to share it with the kids. The plus here is that we are also trying to learn at least basic spanish as many of our friends are missionaries and now that the kids, 5 and 6, are old enough we plan on visiting them.

We go on walks and identify plants and animals every morning. We are doing sign language, so he knows the signs for the animals as well. I really hope I win the book. DS’ fav book is Esta Casa Esta Heche de Lodo/ This House is Made of Mud. I would love to have another book he could cherish that much. Thanks! thebubbledies(at)gmail(dot)com
.-= simone´s last blog ..Planning Ahead for Winter =-.

Sneaking in at the last moment! I first learned about this book last April when I attended the Latino Children’s Literature Conference. I was fortunate to be able to hear Maya Christina’s keynote and thoroughly enjoyed her description of her life and how it has affected her art.
As for helping my kids understand the importance of living in harmony with nature, it is quite easy for my family since my husband runs the world’s largest waterfowl park in NC. We spend most days there and my kids are also exposed to a never-ending stream of baby birds that are occasionally hand-raised, including flamingos, owls, etc.
Well done, Ana y Roxana. Thanks for the post.
.-= Monica´s last blog ..August’s BOM: Handstand Kids Mexican Cookbook =-.

Hi there, i just wanted to drop you a line to say that i thoroughly enjoyed this particular post of yours, I have subscribed to your RSS feeds and have skimmed a few of your posts before but this one really stood out for me. I know that I am just a stranger to you but I figured you might appreciate the appreciation Take care and keep blogging.

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Roxana is a bilingual and bicultural mamá to Vanessa, an inquisitive second-grader, and Santiago, an adventurous preKindie – both of whom are growing up between two worlds and in two languages. A long-time journalist, Roxana oversees SpanglishBaby's editorial content.